Wire reel



'Dec. 23, 1941. R. c. PIERCE ET ALA WIRE REEL 2 Sheets-Shee(l l Filed Oct. l2, 1939 INVENTOR. Raaf/P7* Hfcf 1 De. 23, 1941. R. c. PIERCE ET Ax.

WIRE REEL Filed Oct. l2, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lill im vll.

1N VEN TOR. Raaf/97 C PAE/E62' 5f/YARD .fRQI//sr M am- ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dee. 23, 1941 UNITED STATES "PATENT 0F-FICE ff Robert C. Pierce and Leonard G. Berquist, Niles, Mich., assigno'rs to National Standard: Coin pany, Niles, Mich., a. corporation of Michigan Application october 12', 1939, seriai No. 299,068 y l 5Claims. (01:242-77) Y.

This invention relates to reels and more particularly to reels for storing and handling Wire or the like. Y I

In using wire reels the, reel structure is likely to be damaged by bending, breaking, or the like during the various handling operations. Heretofore, when a reel became damaged it has been necessary to return it to the factory for repair. This is expensive and time consuming and it is accordingly one of the objects of the present invention to provide a reel which can easily be repaired at am,r place by the use of simple hand tools.

Another object oi the invention is to provide a reel for wire or the like which may be easily and cheaply manufactured and assembled and which may be readily disassembled for repair or shipment.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the embodiment illustratedl in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an end view of a reel embodying the invention; f

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged elevation ofthe hub portion of the reel;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged section on the line 5 5 of Figure l; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged section on the line 6 3 of Figure 6.

The illustrated reel comprises end plates I0 formed of pressed steel or the like and formed with an outer bead I2 and with radial reinforcing corrugations .|4. Each end plate at its central portion is formed with a pressed out hub portion IS formed with a central opening.

As best seen in Figure 4, a U-shaped ring I8 is secured to the inner surface of the plate with The end plates arer formed radially outward of the center thereof with an annular series of flanged openings formed Awith inwardly turned flanges 30, Aas best seen in Figure 5. Tension fastening elements shown as bolts 32 extend through thesefopenings andsecure the endv plates toy gether, nuts 34 being screwed on to the ends of the-bolts and formed with'conical collars 36 tting into the flanges 30. y f

In order to support wire or the like on the reel a plurality of` arcuate blocks 38 are provided." These blocks may advantageously be formed of some hard wood such as maple and arepreferably impregnated with linseed oil to act as a preservative. vThe blocks 38 are arranged .edge to edge in annular array between the end plates III, and are of such length that they abut against the end plates when the end plates are drawn up tightly against the flanges 26. The blocks 33 are held in position by frictional engagement'oi the ends with the end plates Ill and are formed at their adjoining edges with grooves 40 which t around the tie bolts 32." Adjacent the ends of the blocks the grooves 40 are enlarged as shownVv at 42 in Figure 5 to nt around the inturned flanges 30 so that the ilanges assistthebo'lts inV one leg of its U-section extending through the central opening, as shown at 20. A pair of open- Y ings 22 are formed in the central portion of the ring I8 for a purpose to appear later.

The end plates are spaced ,apart by aI tubular, hub 24 extending .through the leg portions 20 at its ends and bearing thereagainst. An annular flange 26 is welded or otherwise secured tothev locking the blocks and holding them in position.

If one or more ofthe blocks 38 shouldbe dam` aged in use the tie bolt on one side of such damaged block may be removed and it may be replacedf with a new block, thus any damage to this part of the reel may be easily and quickly repaired with only the use of a wrench to remove the nut 34. In assembling the reel the hub may be placed between the end platesyand the blocks may be.- Y

placed in position one at'a time, the blocks so placed being held bythe flanges 30 and by the tie bolts fittingA into the ,grooves in the blocks until the assembly is completed.

In use on a machine in which wire is wound onthe reel, suitable driving pins on the machine may be inserted in driving openings 44 in the end plates I0 to drive the reel. Ordinarily, a spindle e is inserted in the tubular hub 24 and since'the hub is prevented from rotating relative to the remainder of the reel by the lugs 28 andeopene` ings 22 the spindle itself may exert the necessary driving force. Y A

Whueene embodiment er the invention has been shown and described in detail it will benn- Yderstood that various changes might be made". therein and it is not intended to limit the'soperk of the invention to the/exact form shown nor otherwise than by the/terms (of the appenied/` I ,n l

claims.

'end plates axiallyof said hub, and tension fasten ings extending from one end plate to the other,`

through said Vgrooves and holding the blocks in place and the end plates'on the hub.

2. In a reel the combination with end plates -of blocks having arcuate outer'surfaces and ar ranged edge to edge in annular array between the Vend plates, said blocks `having grooves in` their adjoining edges, said end plates being formed with flanged openings the anges of Awhich tlt into the ends of said grooves', and bolts extending through the ilanged openings and the grooves.

3. lin` a reel, end plates formed with central openings, U-section rings secured to the'inner faces of said plates withcylindrical portions extending through said openings, a tubular hub `extending through said cylindrical portions,

means on the hub engaging said rings to limit inward movement of the end plates thereon and to hold the hub and end'plates against relative rotation, and tension means spaced radially from the hub to hold the end plates on the hub.

' 4. In a reel, end plates formed with central openings, a tubular hub extending through said openings, a U-shaped ring secured to the inner surface of each plate with one leg of the U-sectiony extending through said opening to provide'a bearing surface for thehub, a flange on the hub engaging said ring to limit inward movement of the plates on the hub, and cooperating means on the ring and ilange to prevent relative rotation of the plates and hub. y

5. A reel for wire or the like comprising a pair of end plates, a plurality of blocks lying edge to edge in annular array between said end plates, each of saidblocks being formed in both of its edges with substantialy semi-circular grooves, the grooves of adjacent blocks cooperating when the blocks are assembled to provide elongatedv passages between the end'plates with a portion of the passage in each block, and tension fastenings of substantially the same diameter as said passage extending from one end plate through said passages to the other end plate to hold the end plates and blocks in assembled relationship.

ROBERT C. PIERCE. LEONARD G. BERQUIST. 

